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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
The Burgess Roll
The Burgess Roll.
The burgess rolls of the City contain the names of 3529 ratepayers who are allowed to vote, at all elections except the Mayoral elections, in proportion to their valuations in each Ward on the following scale:—Under £50 (annual rental valuation), one vote; £50 but under £100, two votes; £100 but under £150, three votes; £150 but under £350, four votes; £350 and upwards, five votes. On that scale a maximum number of votes might be cast of 1125 in Thorndon Ward by 595 ratepayers, 2241 in Lambton Ward by 819 ratepayers, 2051 in Te Aro Ward by 1351 ratepayers, and 1806 in Cook Ward by 1268 ratepayers, making a total of 7223 votes in the hands of 4033 voters, the difference between this last total and the real number of ratepayers being owing to the fact that a property holder may be on the roll of each of the four Wards. Of 2308 having no more than one vote in any Ward, Thorndon contains 287; Lambton, 197; Te Aro and Cook, 912 each. Of 913 having two votes, Thorndon has 179; Lambton, 218; Te Aro, 281; Cook, 235. Of 299 having three votes, Thorndon has 54; Lambton, 112; Te Aro, 67; Cook, 66. Of 373 having four votes, Thorndon has 57; Lambton, 188; Te Aro, 79; Cook, 49. Of 140 having five votes, Thorndon has 18; Lambton, 104; Te Aro, 12; Cook, 6. No ratepayer has the maximum number of votes in all the four Wards. Mr. James Hutchen, of the firm of Messrs. Stewart and Co., timber merchants, has the largest number, with a total of sixteen votes. Doubtless, there are many whose properties pay sufficient rates to entitle them to the full number of votes in each Ward; but the rates are paid by tenants.
Women have equal privileges with the men, but, so far, no woman has sought municipal distinction in Wellington.